Mariachi Plaza Gold Line Station

I had a doctor’s appointment at White Memorial and was feeling under the weather, so instead of driving in LA rush hour traffic, I decided to take the Gold Line from may local station in Pasadena, here. This is my favorite station, and I’ve been to or seen many, if not all of them. Thus this station gets five stars from me! I’m actually surprised how beautiful it Is. Unlike it’s middle of the freeway-​platform counter parts, this station goes below ground and is detailed beautifully. Stained glass windows as you approach above ground opening/​exit, beautiful tile, awesome statues, and all while maintaing an Aztec theme. It would be really great if something awesome can be built around this station to bring more people to it. Both times I’ve used it, it has seemed pretty deserted, which is a shame for such an impressive station.

I use this station on occasion when I take the Gold Line to work. I love the beauty of the multicolored glass when it plays with the sunshine. This stop is in a very busy area but somehow it always feels deserted… weekends included. There are small businesses around the area and you can take in the majesty of the newly restored Cummings Block building. This station is only three short stops away from Union Station so if you are heading to the downtown area you should be there in a flash!

A new and for now beautiful and very clean Metrolink station. Excellent.

I actually came here because Eastside Luv had a festival for Dia de los Muertos. It was a great event filled with food vendors, music, and a beer garden (although it was blocked off from the rest of the festival). Everyone has their face painted in remembrance of Day of the Dead but if you didn’t have it already done, there were face painters on site to help you out. In the beer garden there were many tables and chairs available and a cash only bar available too. The only downside was that the wait time for both the bar area and bathroom was significantly longggg.
Other than that, it was definitely a great event.

This review is for the incredible Mariachi Plaza, not the station. Coming here is like entering a surreal movie about Magical LA. Dozens of Mariachis clad in show-​ready mariachi outfits, clutching their instruments, hang out here in teen-​like cliques, awaiting mariachi-​needing customers. Much like day laborers at Home Depot, Mariachi Plaza is where you can pick up a Mariachi band! There is a delightful ice-​creamery and a gazebo; incredible Mariachi-​People Watching. In 5 minutes I had 3 Mariachi band business cards.

So it looks like this station is the focal point for any major festivities in east la. Decided to come here for the inaugural taco festival its pretty smart they have a builtin concrete stage for performers. The taco festival itself was kinda on the small side maybe six food vendors. I did manage to ride the whole extension and frankly this is about the only station worthwhile visiting if there is anything going on

One weekend earlier this summer, the bf and I decided to take the tour of the newly built Gold line and take an urban hike into East LA. I had my newly purchased FlipCam (which was a toy I purchased to soothe the ache of the theft of my laptop bag along with my wallet, laptop, camera, and other assorted things.)
Anyways, we take the line all the way to end, get out and walk around, take it back up to where King Taco’s to grab a bite and then jumped back on to go to Mariachi Plaza.
My bf had mentioned that it was a little shopping area and all I saw of it on the way over was the slick dark blue and white and silver colors that gleamed in the underground lights. As we ascended upwards on the escalators from the cool underground, admiring the artwork and decorations, and come out into the warm light. We see a small stone gazebo, walk up the stairs to look out on the plaza, and lo and behold…
WHA! There’s totally mariachis at Mariachi Plaza! It’s true. I laughed out aloud in delight at the discovery of several groups of mariachi bands milling about in a nearly deserted plaza area. We walked down, with me still smiling in delight, got an ice cream and just milled outside with them.
I kinda felt like I was on a mariachi safari and had just discovered them in their natural habitat. There was several dozen and they were all wearing their costumes. A few of them asked us if we needed a band, we politely declined and they went back to their conversations.
My bf was amused at my reaction and we decided to walk back into East LA to discover more on foot.
But I’ll never forget that discovery (and my first King Taco) as my first visit into East LA. There’s was alot more we encountered that day, but I’ll save it for another review.

AH Mariachi plaza… How many times have i passed through you over the past 26 years… Be walking or driving. I step on you almost every other day. It makes me smile seeing the face lift being done, though i miss my old corver store where i bought my first comic book, or market that used to be at the corner across from the metro bar. Long gone is the local laundrymat i could walk to. Now i have to drive.
I do pass this site on nearly a daily basis, to take the gold line downtown, or to the local bars, the video store where it’s only 2.45 for a movie (screw blockbuster), or the local dairy a block away or JIm’s. I always have to walk through here. It’s not always filled with mariachis. They tend to lessen in the winter months as it gets cold to stand out there. But it’s cleaner now.
The Mariachi’s themself are usually out there more on friday nights and saturday nights for obvious next day bookings. I’ve never had a problem with them unless they start walking out on to the street into oncoming traffic. And when i do walk there, they usually courtiously move aside for padestrians. And when they have celebrations here, i can hear them play from my home, mear blocks away.
A simple rule when walking around here for those of you who are not familure with the area. It’s inhabitants are mostly family locals. Kind and friendly. And the shop owners do like to joke. Maybe it’s because they know me, but i would describe it like hanging out on a saturday bbq with family and friends (and beer).

Newly opened, this station is brand new and opens up into a beautiful colored glass eagle winged corridor and awning likened to Mexican and Aztec culture.
All around, I can just imagine what the Mariachi station area can and will be developed come in a year or two. It’s still a very small mom and pop spot along 1^st street that looks unassuming at the moment.
Had a chat with the local lady Luz who owns and runs a birra restaurant around the corner from the station. Birra is a roast Goat! I wouldn’t have ever known, and would not have known to try it out. This is what riding local transportation is all about. Discovering new places and spots you would have just zoomed by on the freeway.
Come support the local businesses.
Bring back the culture to LA